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Tag: Oregon State

Here we will run our best case/worst case scenario for the 2018 Oregon State Football season. All very real possibilities but extreme in both cases.

PSA: We were not EXTREME enough last year obviously…that is saying something…we will try and take this to another level… for last years, see here: Best/Worst Case 2017

Here’s to 2018.

@ Ohio State:

Worst: It’s a new season, new year, new coach, new everything, or so we thought…

First play in the horseshoe, Arty takes the opening kickoff 94 yards for TD and drops ball at .5 yard line channeling his inner Chad Johnson. Refs review play, take away TD. Arty so disappointed in himself he says sorry to Coach Smith as he is mic’ed up. Coach Smith then punches Arty in the face on camera, Arty is out for the season with fractured jaw. Confused by what he has just done, Niner forgets to call correct play and runs a tight end middle screen at the .5 yard line… Isiah Smalls gets popped by Nick Bosa fumbles, and it gets housed 99.5 yards the other way. Niner gets taken off field by same police that investigated Urban Meyer, so all hope is not lost… Mike Riley is in attendance at the Horseshoe and walks into a decimated locker room at halftime and proclaims: “We are still in this. It’s only 79-0. We still have one half we can win.” Brian Lindgren takes over head coaching duties, Tim Tebesar quits, becomes interim head coach at Ohio State.

We lose 93-3 on a last second field goal by the ghost of Alexis Serna.

Best: It’s a new season, new year, new coach, new everything, and we are who we thought we were…

Niner is juiced pre-game. ESPN video shows him shaking every players hand in locker room and handing them each a small stone. Audience is confused, but players locked in. Smith pulls a slingshot out of his back pocket, “Let’s go slay the giant.”

We start with a steady dose of Arty trying to free up the long game, it pays off. 8th play of game, Timmy streaks free with shades of CSU, no one within 25 yards. 7-0 and the Horseshoe is silent. We trade a few scores, Niner calls a great steady dose of Arty who has 124 yards at half. We lead 17-14 at half. Kenneth Pancake starts salivating at the possible article he will write about the biggest upset in 2018 and that he knows some other writers who predicted it…

THE OSU comes out with fire to start the second half. Scores 28 straight. 42-17. One quarter left… QB throws pick 6 to Kee, he dances in. Beautiful onside kick executed and recovered by Andre Bodden. Jemar Jefferson rips off a 54 yard TD, 13 minutes left, 42-28… Hughes Murray comes up with a HUGE sack on third down, Trevon Bradford houses the ensuing punt. 42-35. But the comeback ends there as THE OSU bleeds the clock and eventually breaks the D’s back.

We lose 49-38.

Southern Utah:

Worst: With Niner suspended and future in question, Lindgren guides the team. Mike Riley is offensive coordinator. Promotes Jake Dukart to starting QB. Runs “pro style.” Everyone is confused, clamors of a Riley takeover are peppering Corvallis. Jake Cookus gets promoted for the second straight year to DC. Different tune this time around, he plays prevent… Southern Utah hangs 48 on us, but we hang 49 on a last second 2 point conversion attempt by Jemar Jefferson, Ice Blast 35… (Sun Bowl 2006)

We win 49-48

Best: Leading up to Southern Utah, the tune is buzzing like a week 1 victory, regardless of the outcome. Kee has game of his life, 3 sacks and a pick 6. Defense dominates, offense running like a well oiled machine, quick passes, slants, screens, occasional deep ball and steady diet of you guessed it, Arty.

We win 55-3.

@ Nevada:

Worst: Lindgren playing ghost during the week. JS gets Urban’s attorney and THE OSU prez recommendation, gets 2 game suspension. Arty has transferred at this point to UO. Mariota center has secret, next gen, 3D bone printer and reconstructs his jaw perfectly and fit for Flex Friday. Arty gets a waiver to play right away because of his abuse. He becomes starter 3rd week as Tony Brooks James has broken back from Bowling Green. Vegas comes around, Lindgren meets up with Mike Leach on vacation, brings WR coach to “gentlemen’s” club. Tristan Gebbia gets out of limo, and straight into a craiglist escort aka a cop. Lindgren gets off scot-free, WR coach fired 5 years later, claims innocence, story to be revisited… Riley coaches game against Nevada, has fun handshake with defender who blasts Jake Luton back into Pullman. Colin Kapernick is shown on jumbo-tron ironically not kneeling as Luton is taken off the field on stretcher. Conor Blount refuses to play again, claims medical redshirt, Dukart is inserted again with Riley at the controls. Nevada pounces. Picks the freshmen off 5 times, routes OSU. Riley goes to In and Out alone. Brings Niner back a double double with animal style with fries. They eat alone in the basement of Gill. Jay John pats them both on the back.

We lose 38-10.

Best: 4-star Isiah Rutherford commits mid-week, says he “feels another stick will be added to the Dam soon.” Andrew Nemec writes headline of “UO pulls scholie of 4-star who has just been downgraded to low 3-star, commits to OSU reluctantly”

The actual game is an afterthought. Nevada still is the same Nevada as 2018. OSU is not. Defense dominates. Offense pounds the rock. Arty goes for 237 and 3 TD’s. Hits 600 yard mark 3 games into season. 7 TDs. JS says it’s too early to tell, but “we have something special here.”

We win 31-3.

Arizona:

Worst: Jesiah Irish gets the official start at receiver. Teagon Quintariano tries to hold his own at TE as Isiah Smalls is out for the season. Kevin Sumlin hatches a plan to get the OSU playmakers out of the game. Goes after Irish third play on a touchdown catch post play. James Rodgers cowers from the sideline. Irish out for season with broken fibula. With Arty, cranking out 200 yard games at UO. Jemar Jefferson gets his chance. Runs for 132 yards but it isn’t enough. Khalil Tate runs for 239, passes for 383. 8 total TD’s. Riley still running the team, leaves for Texas fake NFL job right on schedule. Says it was nice to “fill in for Jonathan.” JS can’t come back quick enough, sitting at 1-3, team in turmoil, his arrival back, even with charges pending against him, is a breath of fresh air.

We lose 59-21.

Best: Team is 2-1, feeling like 10-1. Playing their best football in years. Niner is confident, but trying to keep perspective for still a young team. Timmy Hernandez goes down in a crazy practice drill, Jesiah Irish and Champ must step up. Champ takes a fly sweep 43 yards for the score to take the lead going into half 23-20. Smith reminds the team, “We have to stay grounded. This is built stick by stick. One at a time.” Randomly, Kee puts on a new t shirt under his jersey for second half. D come out with vengeance, Luton throws 3 TD’s, two to Irish. A new combo is brewing. Beavs add another stick to the dam.

We win 37-30.

@ ASU:

Worst: The 35th and Jackson crew cancels their trip to ASU because Andy and Hai are homeless and living out of the side of a burrito food cart. Hai is making some paper though selling out of the back… Elmer Fudge pays a visit, Jay John buys a burrito from the truck. Still coaching with Sean Miller, he kicks back as Tres begins pondering a grad transfer to Arizona basketball…

JS is back at the helm and it is well received. Jemar Jefferson raises JS on his shoulders pre game as he proclaims “you got us here coach.” Herm Edwards tries to motivate his devils on the 118 degree afternoon in Tempe. Beavs come out hot for their new coach, Jefferson running hard. But Blake Brandel goes down on a nasty helmet to knee by Vontaze Burfict’s son. Because of depth and dehydration issues, Elu Aydon is inserted at left tackle. Elu blocks air for the first play, then is gassed, Quin Smith replaces as the makeshift line holds up. Luton is back starting with JS at the helm, throws 4 picks in an ugly game. It’s a battle until the end, but we don’t come out on top.

We lose 13-11.

Best: Arty is being touted as possible first round draft pick. His ability to run and catch sets him apart, with his football IQ making him above and beyond any other RB in the nation. Beavs feed him. Rips off 153 yards, 223 all purpose. Luton throws 2 TD’s on 5 passes. Jack Colletto running the OSU version of QB power, adds 2 TD’s on the ground. ASU keeps it close but Beavs squeak out a victory.

28-24.

WSU:

Worst: Good vibe on this Friday night in Corvallis. Halfway through the year and with a week of stabilization, OSU looks primed for an upset of the #22 Cougars. WSU starting QB gets knocked out first play by helmet to helmet from Jalen Moore. Unfortunately Moore is kicked out for game and next. A walk on QB torches the OSU secondary. But Conor Blount replacing Jake Luton won’t have another loss. He comes out of his fake medical redshirt, throws 4 TD’s, 300 yard second half, similar to another walk on QB. Game ends the same as that one did though, Niner goes for two but the slant to Jesiah Irish is knocked down by Desmond Trufant IV.

We lose 31-30.

Best: Mike Leach proclaims “Ryan Nall is so much better than Arty.”

You can guess what ensues. Arty officially cracks the top 5 Hesiman vote.

Adam Soesman is lost for the season with bruised thigh… go figure.

We win 27-14.

Bye Week:

Worst: JS investigation into punching former RB Arty ends, OSU is fined $5 million. Must ad back the “ad” section of the replay video board with Beaver Blitz advertisements. Oregonian is promised a full section. Dedicates it to “routine” background check information. Pat Casey has a stroke and dies. OSU women’s BB loses Destiny Slocum and Kat Tudor to season ending injuries. Scott Barnes receives community service award.

Best: Isiah Rutherford tweets out “Another stick!” The mystery builds on the recruiting trail. David Morris is cleared to play…

Cal:

Worst: Pre-game Beau Baldwin kisses Scott Barnes hand and says “thank you my savior,” as he smugly walks down the ramp from Gill. Phil yells “Hey Beau, I hate your name!” Cal gets out to a quick lead, their huge white RB having a game. Missed tackles plague defensive unit being coached by Cookus, prevent game is picked apart by the former Bear Raid. Beavs show fight as JS likes to call it, but it isn’t enough.

We lose 45-21.

Best: Fresh off being cleared during the bye week, David Morris has 3 picks, defense leads the charge and shuts out Cal for the first time Beau Baldwin has ever coached in any football game as any coach. Offense does what it needs to, Gus Lavaka retires due to “personal reasons.” JS says post game when asked about amazing defense: “Tim Tibesar is great coach. He just does the things Kevin Clune and Gary Andersen didn’t. Same players, different coach. Thanks guys.”

We win 24-0.

@ Colorado:

Worst: The Buffaloes are coming off a huge win against USC. Ralphie is running and it’s homecoming for Brian Lindgren. He loses it. Tries to get cute. Switches over the the “better quarterback who the coaches were saving all along” in Conor Blount permanently. Jake Luton shuts it down for the season. Blount breaks wrist on zone-read running into Jemar Jefferson’s biceps. Jack Colletto comes in and looks like Braxton Brumiester. That’s bad FYI. Goes 2-17 for 8 yard and 2 picks. Buffaloes silence the momentum that Niner thought he had built with losses…

We lose 29-7.

Best: College GameDay appears in Boulder. Buffaloes are undefeated, Beavs at 6-1, already bowl eligible. Phil holds sign on GameDay: “Ucks Suck” Gets a laugh from Kirk and the boys. Ryan Simmons is the guest picker for GameDay as it started a new tradition of picking someone from a random city and state every week and it happened to be Redmond, Oregon. Simmons declines because he has to play “worship” the next morning. Guest picker ends up being Young Life’s former head of Human Resources. She picks the Buffaloes. Corso asks why. Response: “They are mentally capable. I’m not sure OSU is.”

Niner addresses team with a calmness like no other. Ends with: “FU$$ THIS ELEVATION!” TV station forgets to pre watch recording…

Luton having a solid season already, steals the show. Arty gets concussion in first quarter, knocked out for rest of game. Luton completes passes to 9 different receivers, Champ houses kick return to put the game out of reach late. JS proves he can adapt on the fly with an aerial assault. Isiah Smalls catches his 4th TD of the season, sets ball on top of pile of sticks on sideline. Makes ESPN Sunday morning. Simmons misses clip because of “worship.”

We win 28-19.

USC:

Worst: After a drubbing at Colorado, JS gets put on blast by the same Beaver Blitz crew who praised him. Says he has “lost the team and they aren’t having fun.”

Niner goes on the offensive. Literally. Jack Colletto being so bad that he gets kicked off the team mid game, Niner being a new coach and all thinks the new redshirt rule applied to him in college so he trots out for his 5th year. Throws 4 TD’s, can’t see over the O-Line still and the defense causes a few turnovers. USC can’t play in Corvallis…still! Beavs pull a massive upset, but the NCAA opens investigation into Niner literally playing QB and winning the game. Says it will take a year to resolve if it was legal or not. Niner claims he has been taking meds that make him think he is someone else… Uses same attorney as earlier in the year to fight case.

We win 31-26.

Best: It’s a black out in Corvallis. USC at 7-1. OSU at 7-1. Both coming off big wins respectively. Beavs come out of the tunnel to O-State Ballaz and Jeff Van Orsow and Greg Layborn lead the charge with a 10 foot log signed by each member of the 2007 and 2009 football teams that beat USC. The turns out to be a barn burner. Back and forth we go. Tie ball game heading into half. Niner calls Mike Riley on phone who is at this 4th home in San Antonio preparing for his fake NFL 3 month league… “Mike, I can’t shake these guys!” Response: “Then run ’em over Jonathan!”

The Beavers proceed to run the ball 39 out of 41 plays in the second half, including the last 30 plays straight. Niner turns the game into a grind. Timmy Hernandez out there making crack-black blocks on defensive ends. Clayton York’s cousin leading the way at fullback. OSU goes full jumbo at one point with Elu Aydon and Kalani Vakamaleo at TE’s. David Shaw watches film for pleasure…

Best: Power against Power. Billed as the RB show down of the century with Heisman front runner Bryce Love against runner up Artavias Pierce. Both have already eclipsed the 1200 yard mark on the season. Arty with 30 more catches and 3 more TD’s but Love with 300 more rushing yards. Both backs go for 149 but it’s the 149th yard that counts the most for Arty as he punches it in from one yard out on an inside zone behind Elu at full back to win the game in overtime.

We win 35-31 in OT.

@ Washington:

Worst: Sitting at 2-8, Niner tricks the media into believing they can finish 4-8. The sentiment is: “Well if Gary could do it, I can.” Canzano writes article detailing Smith’s involvement in abusing Arty and how Arty has recovered by running for 1539 yard and 30 TD’s for UO in 9 games… Danny Moran provides editing and sourcing for story. Game is an absolute blood bath for Niner and company. Aidan Willard is the starting QB with Matthew Tago as the emergency back-up. Kee Whetzel is lost for the season with broken arm, Isiah Hodgins torn ACL, Jalen Moore pre maturely declares for the NFL draft and Elu out for the year with “exhaustion.” The Beavs are depleted. Matthew Tago comes up with a pick and a sack. Brian Lindgren is seen laughing as he comes out of the press box. Niner says “trust the process and we will live in the hard.”

We lose 59-10.

Best: At 9-1 (7-0 in conference) and Washington at 9-1 (6-1) in conference, it is the first time ever that OSU has a chance to clinch the conference outright before the last game of the season. Tensions are high as Dawg fans are verbally abusing Niner pre-game wondering why Jake Browning never got any better during the 12 years he has played at UW. Niner doesn’t come out whole pre game on field. TV thinks he isn’t at stadium. No players warm up. No one can be found…

Orange smoke rises after the Dawg Pound quiets, an inflatable log seems to be holding the OSU players inside the smoke, Kee Whetzel leads the captains in front, they part like the Red Sea, and there is Niner in the Bobby Bruce Bunny Mask… Words can only show so much of this picture…

Timmy Hernandez scores twice early. Browning is on though…Myles Gaskin takes a screen pass to the house and Luton throws a late first half pick 6. UW leads 21-17 at half. The Dawg Pound trembles… Brian Lindgren needs a play… UW is stuffing Arty at the line so Lindgren dials up the perfect flea flicker and Luton throws a bomb on the pass back to Kolby Taylor streaking down the middle… Browning responds with a 12 play 88 yard TD drive. 28-24 heading into the 4th.

Beavs go three and out to start the 4th, Browning leads UW to another TD drive. Luton has the ball 8 minutes to go, down two scores. Screen pass to Arty and he spins off a defender, gets a blindside block from Trevon Bradford, Luton is leading leading Arty down the sideline like Sunshine in Remember the Titans. Get’s knocked out by UW safety. Arty scores though… Luton out for the game but Beavs only down one score. Defense forces a three and out and punt team takes the field. Beavs run a return reverse to non other then Champ Flemmings who was hidden behind Elu Aydon in the middle of the return team. He houses it for a TD for the Beavs first lead! BUT an offsides penalty by the nose tackle over the ball, gets it called back. 89 seconds to go, Beavs down 35-31 and need a TD. Niner inserts Jack Colletto instead of Conor Blount… Colletto shovel passes to Christian Wallace who then laterals back to Colletto and Colletto scampers for 42 yards to the Washington 5. Niner gets the play in, 6 seconds left. It’s a Timmy Hernandez WildCat Statue of Liberty to Arty and he gets the outside only to be stopped at the 2 by a UW linebacker. Game over. Coach Pete greats Niner at midfield and says: “Not my play against me…”

We lose 35-31.

*Ucks:

Worst: No comment.

We end season 2-10. Brian Lindgren leaves citing “stress issues.” Jake Cookus opens a donut shop in Eugene. Niner says he will stick it out… Now has to find new DC, OC, ST, and WR coach. With a depleted roster, Niner spends the summer working for free as the QB coach at Independence Community College where he runs into Simi Kuli playing D-End. Tristan Gebbia transfers there and gets signed the next year by UO. Smith returns to UW the next year as OC and says “OSU is impossible to resurrect. I have tried twice.” OSU hires Art Bryles. Mixed reactions from fans. Bob Lundeberg gets assigned to cover 2A 8 man football in Baker City. Gina Mizell gets hired as head of team Ideation at Oregon State. Scott Barnes gets contract extension and increases the fan experience committee to 50 people none of which are OSU grades. Cites “diversity.” Andy never comes back from Arizona, the rest of 35th and Jackson loses their jobs and are forced to work as redcoats. Scott Rueck leaves to be the coach at Baylor WBB. Kevin McGiven is hired as head football coach. Bruce Read is special teams consultant.

Best: With a win securing at least a tie for the Pac-12 North title, Niner locks himself and the team in the baseball teams “Omaha” room for 4 days leading up to the Civil War. “This is how champions are made.”

Beavs come out in all black unis for Mario’s funeral and honorary captains for game are Jacquizz Rodgers for OSU and John Boyett for UO. Jacquizz re-invents the bull doze of 2010… Boyett vaporizes into the November air… First play from scrimmage is a Isiah Hodgins slant that goes the distance. Justin Herbert gets knocked around by the Kee and Hamiclar who set the single season record for sacks with 18 each. David Morris picks off Herbert and knees the ball and just points at Mario Cristoballz… Beavs don’t have a third down on offense and Mario asks for Friday Night Tykes mercy rule…

We win 50-0.

UW loses on last second Hail Mary by Ortez Jenkins son at Arizona. Beavs win Pac-12 North outright. Play Utah in the championship. Gary doesn’t show. Neither does the Utah D-Line. Arty runs wild and finishes the regular season with 3429 all purpose yards and 41 total TD’s. Win’s the Heisman over Jake Luton. Niner wins coach of the year nationally and gets offer from Western Michigan. Turns it down. Kennesaw State offers $100 million over 4 years, JS says no. Beavs win Pac-12 championship. Play Wisconsin in Rose Bowl, beat Paul Chryst and the Badgers. Niner smiles and gets high five from his former OC. Beavs play Florida State in National Championship and blank Willie and boys 31-0. Niner says “the civil war ha ha ha ha.” Willie leaves to be the coach back at USF. Scott Frost takes FSU job. Mario Cristobal gets extended for life after a 6-6 season. Jim Leavitt vows to bring the “black shirts back” and accepts the HC job at Nebraska. Half of Cristoballz staff leaves, he wonders why… And finally, Isiah Rutherford tweets out “Dam built!” and simultaneously Michael Johnson Jr. decommits from Penn State and announces his commitment to OSU. States he was a silent commit and that “It just feels like home, it always has.”

Both scenarios are extremely likely to happen. Which one will it be???

We survived night one. I mean that quite literally between some rough Lyft rides and the things I mentioned regarding our hotel last night.

Here’s the updates we have to share:

Our Lyft driver last night was navigating off of his phone that was laying across his lap. I was praying as we zig-zagged down the road.

Got some 98 cent shower flops at Wal-Mart. Best purchase I’ve ever made. It takes me back to my days in Finley Hall.

Woke up to rain (some foreshadowing).

American Airlines had some weird glitch where the prices of their flights playfully bounced back and forth, fluctuating by as much as $200 within seconds. That’s a fun game to play while looking for flights home. I think we have one figured out for Thursday.

Got to the stadium at 2pm to stand in line for GA seating. We were behind a group of friendly Razorback fans. Friendly, but very confident.

Haven’t played a game yet and have already listened to about 100 hog calls.

We managed to be some of the first 150 people in the park. We had front row seats above the left field bullpen.

Some severely simple Arkansas fans were saying terrible things to Luke when he was warming up. Several old Beaver fans were ready to jump them, I threw in a few insults that I’m fairly certain they couldn’t understand.

Here’s where it got good. Freshman, Kevin Abel just stared that whole group down. He said something to them, but I couldn’t make out exactly what. That crew got pretty quiet after that. But it was cool to see how tight knit that crew is. With that attitude, I want Abel on our football team. Respect to him.

One Arkansas fan came over to apologize for the stupidity of the people in his section. Nice guy.

Meanwhile it was a gorgeous evening, but the game was sent into a delay due to the possibility of a major storm. We were baffled as it looked to be a great night for baseball.

5pm turned to 6, then to 7. Approximately 15 minutes after 7, it hit! Lightning strikes were all over. The rain picked up and it felt like being in a hurricane on a fishing boat for a several minutes. The field quickly puddled up with water.

That Thursday flight? Yeah, we just cancelled and got one for Friday.

About 7:45 they officially called it. Game 1 will take place tomorrow evening at 4pm PST, 6pm CT.

What seemed like a tall order a week ago is now reality. After dropping its first game of the College World Series to North Carolina, Oregon State fought back to win four consecutive elimination games and earn a spot in the championship series against Arkansas.

With an appearance in the National Championship secured, we decided it was time for our rag tag crew to make the long dreamed of pilgrimage to Omaha. Over the course of the next few days we’ll be sharing our experiences and thoughts with you as we take in Omaha live and in person for the first time. Hopefully this provides some insight/entertainment to you. If nothing else, it will serve as a way for us to document the trip.

Now that we’ve given you a fair explanation, here are some notes from day 1:

We all watched last night’s clinching game together at our friend Bobby’s house in Newberg. Of course, due to the magnitude of the game we grilled our customary brats with beer and onions (delicious).

The last inning was tense. I’d like to say I was calm, but that just isn’t the truth. I was doubled over on the floor with my thumb hovering above the “book it” button for our hotel.

Luckily Mully was able to put the game to bed and the celebration ensued.

Victory S’mores Blizzard at DQ? No brainer.

Started to think about Arkansas. Tough team. 47-19 is a real record. Great lineup, strong pitching, but not invincible. Also, 53-11 isn’t bad…

Con and I got three hours of sleep as we stayed up late planning and had to be at the airport at 4:30.

Our good friend, Ryan Kinnaman stepped up big time and drove us to PDX. Blessings to him and his family.

Going through security I put my boarding pass in the bin with my phone. I came out on the other side, my boarding pass did not. What in the world was that all about? I got a new one printed, but seriously… who took it?

Wheels up at 6am and thanks to Con’s broken foot, we got to board early.

Omaha, you elusive beauty; we finally found you.

Got a Lyft from the airport and the guy was in a sweet Tacoma. That was an exciting change up from the customary Prius.

We went and walked around TD Ameritrade and it’s a sight to behold. Such a cool stadium and the whole area around it is set up like a carnival.

Went to grab some food from Blatt Beer and Table. They had Freshed Squeezed from Deschutes on tap (of course they did).

The Beaver bus was in front of the stadium when we walked by and we snuck a few glimpses of bp. Apparently a water balloon fight broke out.

Checked in to our cheap hotel. Let’s just say we got what we paid for. I would guess no fewer than five serious crimes have been committed here. And as I type, I’m trying to keep my wandering eye from looking at the apparent blood stain on the carpet. But hey, we are on a budget and the reviews on it were decent.

Going to do a little more exploring tonight and then rest up for a big day.

This series is going to be fun. Two stacked teams battling it out for all the marbles. The atmosphere will be electric.

I’m interested to see what our interactions with Razorback fans will be like.

It seems like yesterday that the Beavers historic 2017 season came to an end in Omaha. But it didn’t conclude with the dogpile that had been seemingly written into the script months prior. A team that came to Omaha with just 4 losses on the season, was instead sent home from the doorstep of the championship series. How could this be? What happened? Greg Street couldn’t see an elephant if its trunk was touching his nose! The Beavs were a team of destiny! These thoughts among others raced through my head as my friends and I finished our beers in disgust at Prineville’s, Ochoco Brewing (Shoutout to them. Good food, good beer and they put the game on for us after a dusty day of softball.) We were supposed to embark on a cross country road trip the following morning to take in the championship series. But like the Beavers, the season didn’t end with us being where we’d hoped.

No matter how hard we tried to pinch ourselves, it was over. The best Oregon State baseball team to ever grace a diamond was coming back to Corvallis empty handed. It was a sobering couple of weeks. An all time great team wouldn’t be rewarded with the immortality it deserved. Instead it would be remembered as a great season that ultimately ended with thoughts of what could have been.

Fast forward a year to present day. Here we are. The Beavers are back in Omaha with a chance to start over and be remembered in a positive way (Hopefully John Canzano and the Oregonian see the irony). It won’t be easy. This field is stacked with blue bloods, immense talent, and teams that are incredibly tough outs. Oh, and the Washington Huskies will also be there.

A lot of familiar faces remain from last year’s squad. Nick Madrigal and Steven Kwan are back. Cadyn Grenier, Trevor Larnach, Adley Rutschman, and Bryce Fehmel are there too. Battle tested seniors Jack Anderson, Kyle Nobach and Luke Heimlich (who decided not to pitch last year because our society doesn’t truly believe in two sides to a story, rehabilitation, or second chances) will all be there. And of course, Pat Casey will be there donning the number 5 from a sun soaked dugout of TD Ameritrade Park.

Yes, much will be the same. But one key difference will be the repetitive muttering of a single word by both players and fans. “FINISH”! It’s a word Nick Madrigal and other leaders of the team have repeatedly used to describe the sole focus of this season. It’s the reason a customary dogpile was absent from an Omaha clinching celebration. And it is that word that will ultimately define the 2018 Beavers. It’s time to finish.

What will it take this year? Pat has the boys throwing gas and playin’ fast. A great quote from him post-game Minnesota: “Omaha is no different in the actual game of baseball. I tell the guys, you have to pick it up and throw it when the ball comes to you and hit it when it’s thrown to you. Pretty simple. The game doesn’t change.”

Can we get an “amen” for Pat??? But seriously he has the Beavs firing on all cylinders right now. Bullpen is coming in to it’s own and the key in Omaha will be the same thing the Beavs did in this series: Grinding out at bats and wearing the opposing pitchers down.

I don’t have a stat for this but it seemed like every at bat OSU had against any Minnesota pitcher was going deep into counts and pitch counts. It was KEY in getting that freshmen gum smacker out of there as he looked all world the first time he faced OSU’s lineup. The Minnesota coach said it best: “It is hard and almost impossible to pitch well to that lineup for 9 innings. We didn’t do that.”

Lindsay Meggs and UNC watch out for the revenge tour. Contact LSU for details…

2B. Football Recruiting Weekend

HUGE weekend for Jonathan Smith and crew. 4 commitments Sunday night. Game changing 4 star DE/LB hybrid who will be locked in with a brother on the team already. The LB’s look rangy and sideline to sideline players. Hopefully, the 6’4″ receiver does better than our last one wearing #13… Momentum is building… Also Dr. Evil decommitting from the team down south… LOL!

3B. NBA Finals Comment

Houston with Chris Paul beats Warriors.

Dubs are still the champs though. No one likes Draymond still… LBJ about to pull a KD who pulled and LBJ originally.

The reward for the Beavers after pummeling the LSU kitty cats is a top 10 match up with the University of Minnesota. Besides the great series we will witness this weekend, the best thing to come out of this is our reminder about how much Scott Barnes looks like the Minnesota mascot, Goldy. Google it! You’ll thank me later.

Minnesota (44-13) won the Big Ten conference regular season and the Big Ten conference Tournament before hosting a regional that included UCLA. The Gophers beat the Bruins twice to advance on.

Probably as no surprise to anyone in the west, I have not watched any Big Ten baseball besides when in Surprise, AZ for the Pac 12 – Big Ten challenge in February. What I do know is that Minnesota’s ace is Freshman Patrick Fredrickson, who was the Big Ten pitcher of the Year and is a Freshman All American . In 14 games, 92 IP, he went 9-0 with a 1.76 ERA (18 ER total) and an impressive 70 to 24 strikeout to walk ratio. Opponents only batted .205 against him. That is Heimlich like (.211). And to make it worse, he’s from Gig Harbor, we could of had him. From what I have read, he has been there day 2 starter and Reggie Meyer (8-3, 2.62) has been there Day 1 starter. In the pen or day 3, they have Brett Schulze, who also was 9-0 albeit in 51.2 IP. He gives up a few more hits, with an OBA of .269 and 51 hits total. Their closer is Max Meyer, a freshmen who’s OBA is .156 in 40 IP and was named Freshmen Reliever of the Year today.

Their offense seems quite balanced like the Beavers but I do not know what Big Ten pitching or the parks are like to know if it is legit. They are led by 3rd round pick, SS Terrin Vavra, who was a 1st team All American this year. He is generally in the 3 hole and his OPS of 1.094 and 10 HRs lead the Gophers. Their lead off is generally 2B Luke Pettersen and his .408 OBP, followed by LF Ben Mezzenga and his .463 OBP. And in the 4 hole is Ean Wilson, son of Dan Wilson of Mariner Catcher fame, who is pretty good hitter himself, .825 OPS and 5 HRs. The first three guys are Juniors or Seniors, so they have veteran experience and leadership.

The Gophers are not a team to be overlooked. They have all the talent and leadership necessary to come in a knock the Beavers out. I would still give the edge to the Beavers and believe a two game sweep should occur.

The Beavers are marching out a 1st round talent in Luke Heimlich, the gamer Bryce Fehmel, and their top 6 pitchers were all drafted, or will be drafted, in the top 10 rounds. There is just too much experience to lose. Not to mention the Goss Stadium crowd they will be playing in front of. The Beavers are 10-2 in Super Regionals at Goss. I expect that to be 12-2 after this weekend.

Well as other have reported this last week, the Oregon State spring “game” was not exactly that. It was a practice. A complete joke to be called a game. Now, through this the whole PNW crew and other contributors were in attendance and have some thoughts. However, we were all very disappointed as the advertisement by OSU was billed as a typical spring game and it was so far from that we are afraid it pushed some fans away.

One of the most boring experiences for the normal fan watching. And there were a few of them that left after 30 minutes of OSU doing strictly drills. Then 10 plays, then more drills.

We here love Jonathan Smith. Niner. The Return. Whatever you want to call the glorious 5’9″ walk-on from Glendale, CA. This spring game however was similar to the 2000 start OSU had with a 21-19 victory over lowly Eastern Washington which was no where near the caliber of team that they are now…but in JS defense, OSU isn’t that caliber of 2000 either…

Also, this is a DIRECT SHOT to the Oregon State marketing department: THANK YOU for finally taking the Victory through Valley 2016 banner down from the Valley Football Center. That is one thing you have excelled at in the past five years. That is the EXACT problem with you though. That is the ONLY thing you have excelled at in the past five years. The atmosphere at this spring game was TERRIBLE! Nothing to get anyone excited, no replays, no previews of upcoming season, NOTHING! There was one single drawing to win a season ticket for the year but at a pop up table from Walmart with a makeshift cardboard box… Seriously? I mean Benny wasn’t even in the dang place! A joke!

What else is the marketing department for athletics doing right now??? Men’s BB is on the brink of destruction and not in season, Pat is doing his thing and carrying OSU baseball to another juggernaut season and our most important team, WBB and Scott Rueck are busy getting a top-10 recruiting class and looking for ANOTHER Final Four appearance in 2018-2019… So AGAIN WTF IS THE OSU MARKETING DEPARTMENT DOING????????????????????????

Give me a towel. Give me a poster. Give a clear bag. I don’t care. Do something to engage this fan base that Gary Andersen is still destroying. Niner can do a lot of things but he cannot be the marketing department as well. It is sickening to look at how physically dirty the stadium is as well. Ever heard of power washing??? Pay me minimum wage and I am there to do it for you! Get some pride! But then again, no one in your department went to Oregon State so why would they have pride in the school????

RANT OVER ON THIS TOPIC FOR NOW!

Quick thoughts on the Spring “Game”:

-Conor Blount had a great day. As we reported at Dam City showcase, Colletto, Luton and Blount get the snaps. Blount did NOT have a good day at Dam City but rebounded and was by far the best QB. I think the thing that stood out was his timing. Most of the routes he completed were timing throws and fades where he hit a receiver in stride. Nice to see. Nothing is settled however, this will go into fall camp with Luton and Blount battling.

-Kee Whetzel all over the field as usual. Will be a STUD this Fall.

-Doug T looks promising as a rotation linebacker. As well as Shemar Smith.

-OSU is in trouble at the center position. One, Sumner Houston is still undersized and gets bullied. Two, it seems like no center on our roster can snap the ball consistently. Think UO in the Alamo Bowl… NEVER FORGET! But seriously it is troubling. There were about 5-6 just fumbles on snaps. Then about 50% of the snaps in general were low or at QB’s knees which throws off the time of everything. Ironic because the quitter, GA was a college center…

-No special teams full go work which was disappointing.

-Champ Flemmings still rocking it. He will be a huge part of the offense this fall.

-AP, Calvin Tyler and BJ Baylor look like a great mix up of RB’s. All solid players. Throw in Christian Wallace and OSU looks to be in good shape at RB. Crazy to think 3 players left from last year and they will still be in good shape with arguably more young talent incoming and starter not being “injured” every play where his ankle gets touched by a blade of turf.

-WR stepping up. Timmy Hernandez is going to have a Brandon Powers/Shane Morales type season. Look for Kolby Taylor to make some catches this year. Sturdy, good hands and can take a hit.

-TE pretty much non existent.

-DL looked ok. Hard to tell with lack of QB hitting, physicality at some points.

-A player who stood out in a huge way on the DL was former walk-on Jaelen Bush. #40. The dude is every part of 6’7″ and not a twig. Merle hear at PNW always sulks at the loss of former 6’7″ DE, Joah Robinett, but Bush looks like a similar player but plays with more leverage and is MUCH stronger. He ripped through countless O lineman to break up plays. His length is impressive and again seeing him up close, he has the strength and weight to compete this year. 3rd down pass rushing specialist in 2018 MINIMUM. Only a frosh.

Questions for Summer:

Who really will put in work at QB? It feels like the QB competition will be settled between Luton and Blount. Both can sling it, some people claim Blount is “much more mobile” then Luton. People compare Luton’s mobility to Sean Mannion. That is a joke if I’ve ever heard one. The dude has enough mobility to escape the pocket and not be a statue. I would say Conor Blount is more athletic and faster when he escapes but overall same capability. I doubt OSU will be running much read option keepers with either. They cannot afford to have QB injury debacles a la the last 5 years. We think this battle will come down to intangibles like leadership and timing/chemistry with WR. Both are fine options for OSU.

Will Bright ever be back on this team? So much for senior leadership. No one has reported on this for a while. Bright with proper coaching could be a force on the outside for OSU. Will be worth watching.

Who will emerge as true frosh or RS frosh? Look for Jaelen Bush, Isiah Smalls, Champ Flemmings, Kolby Taylor, Jeffery Manning to name a few. It will be interesting what players that come in during the fall can make an immediate impact.

Will coaches find QB for future? They need one. Simple as that. JS has many connections along with Riley. We assume the priority in this summer recruiting wise will be locking up a QB they can groom and develop.

Does team speed and strength improve? People reporting that OSU defense is suddenly “playing faster” and “so much quicker” are FAKE NEWS. There is very little evidence of that. We saw players in the spring “game” look slow to be honest. This was a huge issue in the Andersen era. Brandon Arnold getting beat by a PSU WR who played QB in the same game was a sign… Will be interesting to see the speed of this team come fall and game situations. This has been glaring for a few years.

PLEASE OSU MARKETING COME UP WITH THINGS TO GET FANS ENGAGED. ITS NOT HARD.

PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE. YOU WILL LOSE THE FANBASE BEFORE JS EVEN GETS STARTED.